IT at KS3

At KS3, each unit covers specific IT or computing skills. For example, in Y7, the ‘Game On’ unit which introduces programming using Scratch and the ‘Animal Rescue’ unit, which teaches spreadsheet skills.

In all Key Stages, pupils are taught to use different software applications which range from design and development applications to office applications.

KS4

Students currently choosing IT at KS4 study the Edexcel CiDA course. This is a vocational course which requires two units to be studied.

Unit 1 – Developing Web products – 25% of final grade

Unit 3 – Artwork and Imaging – 75% of final grade

Unit 1 is an examined unit.

Pupils are given a scenario and will be asked to create a website. To prepare pupils for this, they are taught web design skills, which pupils then practice using past exam papers.

Unit 3 – is a coursework based controlled assessment.

Pupils are given a project brief and will need to create different artwork and images based around the scenario. These are internally assessed and then externally moderated by an examiner.

KS5

BTEC Level 3 IT

Year 1

Unit 2 – Creating Systems to Manage Information

This is an advanced database unit whereby students will learn to normalise tables of data and design a usable Entity Relationship Diagram, from this students are then taught to create a working database with usable interfaces and advanced queries and reports.

Unit 3 – Using Social Media in Business

In this unit students are taught how businesses use social media to help promote themselves. They also learn to create social media profiles for a business and then use those social media pages to promote the business.

Year 2

Unit 1 – Information Technology Systems

This is a theoretical unit. In this unit students are taught about different types of technologies online and offline, they are then taught how these are used by businesses, individuals and groups of people.

Unit 6 – Website Development

In this unit student are taught about website design and good practice. They are then taught to code a website using HTML, CSS and javascript.

What will I learn about?

Cambridge Nationals are vocationally related qualifications that take an engaging, practical and inspiring approach to learning and assessment. They’re industry relevant, geared to key sector requirements and suit such a broad range of learning styles and abilities. The course aims to cover a variety of Media industries that are both interesting to students and relevant to the working world.

How will I be assessed?

 Unit R081: Pre-production skills – 25% examination – 1 hr 15 minutes

This exam enables learners to understand pre-production skills used in the creative and digital media sector. It will develop their understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques that form part of the planning and creation process. Planning is an essential part of working in the creative and digital media sector. This unit will enable learners to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to create digital media products. On completion of this unit, learners will understand the purpose and uses of a range of pre-production techniques. They will be able to plan pre-production of a creative digital media product to a client brief.

 Unit R082: Creating digital graphics – 25% coursework unit.

Digital graphics feature in many areas of our lives and play a very important part in today’s world. The digital media sector relies heavily on these visual stimulants within the products it produces, to communicate messages effectively. The aim of this unit is for learners to understand the basics of digital graphics editing for the creative and digital media sector. They will learn where and why digital graphics are used and what techniques are involved in their creation. This unit will develop learners’ understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques as part of the planning and creation process.

Unit R091: Designing a game concept – 25% coursework

This unit will enable learners to understand the capabilities and limitations of a range of video game platforms. They will be able to identify the core features of digital games and gain the knowledge to create a games design concept proposal that can be presented to a client for critical review. This unit will also enable learners to understand the basics of planning and designing digital games for the creative digital media sector. On completion of this unit, learners will know about different types of digital games and where they are used, be able to plan and design a digital game concept and present a game proposal to a client.

 Unit R090: Digital photography – 25% coursework

Digital photography  is used in a variety of different situations and circumstances. These range from professional photographers taking wedding and special event photographs to informal holiday and social networking photographs. In this unit learners will learn about different types of digital photographic equipment, features and settings used in digital photography, how to plan a photo shoot and how to present their portfolios. On completion of this unit, learners will understand the features and settings of digital photographic equipment, be able to plan a photo shoot, review the digital photographs and review the final portfolio against a specific brief.

Where can I find out more?

Further information is available from: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/creative-imedia-level-1-2-award-certificate-j807-j817

Contact: Mr Edwards in the Post 16 Department

• Why choose Media?
• How is it tested and what could your child do next?
• What career could the qualification lead to?